LINGA BHAIRAVI
Sudha Ragunathan.
Amutham Music P Ltd.
MRP Rs. 99.
The CD featuring the honeyed voice of Sudha Ragunathan, is a timely release for the ensuing Navarathri festival. Compositions of lyricists including Varasri, Ulundurpettai Shanmugham, Ghanam Krishna Iyer and Subramania Bharati, form part of the repertoire.
The opening Kalyani raga number ‘Lingoth Bhava Nilaye’ is engaging with Sudha’s voice in full flow, aided by a few chorus singers. Most of the compositions are in praise of the deity at the Isha Jaggi Vasudev Dhyana Linga temple. Nostalgic memories resurface while listening to the popular film song, ‘Mannavan Vandanadi’ (from ‘Thiruvarutselvar’) sung by P. Susheela. Following this is Gayathri sloka on Linga Bhairavi, which is repeatedly sung by Sudha assisted by choral voices. The popular 'Jagat Janani' (Ratipatipriya-Ghanam Krishna Iyer) is captivating with many flourishes, typical of the singer. A haunting composition of Bharati, ‘Yadumagi Nindrai Kaali’, in Pantuvarali is soothing.
Other compositions on the disc include 'Chinnan Chiru Penn Pole' (Sindhu Bhairavi-Ulundurpettai Shanmugham), an ashtakam in praise of Linga Bhairavi and a ragamalika covering Anandabhairavi, Sindubhairavi and Bhairavi. The transition from Anandabhairavi to Sindubhairavi is a sheer delight to listen to.
The closing number is Arathi, seeking the blessings of Linga Bhairavi, which shares the same musical setting as the famous bhajan 'Jaya Jagadisha Hare.'
